Man Found Guilty in Elaborate $700k Casino AI Theft Scheme

A man has been found guilty following a complex trick that resulted in an employee stealing $700k from Hartford Four Winds Casino in Michigan. 

The man found guilty is Jesus Gaytan-Garcia. Jurors found him guilty of transporting stolen money across state lines and theft from an Indian tribal organization. 

There’s no sentencing date yet, and it’s unclear how long the sentence could or will be. 

This comes after a Michigan poker player was arrested in a bizarre murder case. 

The Incident 

On July 30, 2023, someone called a casino cage supervisor and lied that he was the Pokagon tribal chair. 

The caller told the employee to gather $700k in cash and bring it to two people in Gary, Indiana. 

The employee followed through with the plan. 

Delivery Was Complete

The man found guilty, Gaytan-Garcia, was one of the men receiving the funds. 

“This case underscores the need for businesses, organizations, and citizens to be diligent and cautious about phone and internet scams,” U.S. Attorney of the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten said.

Some time before this incident, the Nevada Gaming Control Board said such scams were unfolding, with callers using artificial intelligence to trick casino employees. 

The employee who followed through was Danika Young, 38. She was initially charged with embezzlement, but the charges were dropped. 

She could’ve been jailed for up to 20 years. 

She appeared in court and apologized. 

I’m very sorry for what happened. This is my first charge, sir,” Young had said in court to Van Buren Country Judge Arthur H. Clarke. 

While in custody, her bond was set at $1 million. 

There are no other suspects currently convicted relating to this case. 

Four Winds Hartford Casino is located roughly 80 miles from Grand Rapids and is operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.